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NY: GOP Lawmakers Who Voted for Marriage Equality Facing Challenges

Written by scott on March 24th, 2012

New York conservatives are making good on their threat to punish several state Republican lawmakers for voting in favor of marriage equality in 2011. Four Republican State Senators who voted for the bill will not be endorsed by the Conservative Party and three will likely face Republican primary challengers this fall.

The three likely facing challenges are James Alesi, Mark Grisanti, and Roy McDonald. The fourth Republican State Senator that voted for marriage equality, Steven Saland has so far escaped a primary challenge, but will not get the Conservative endorsement. Saland has indicated that there may still be a challenge against him.

Last year, New York Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long threatened to deny legislative candidates endorsements from his organization and he has not backed off that stance since. “Anybody who votes to destroy traditional marriage would not receive our endorsement. That is in cement and there is no change,” he said.